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Nation’s largest energy fair returns to Custer

Sara Windjue, right, and her team set up the Electrathon Competition-winning car from the Wild Rose School District under the education tent at the Midwest Renewable Energy Association Energy Fair in Custer.
(Photo:
Andy Davis/Stevens Point Journal Media
)Buy Photo

CUSTER – In 1989, Tom Brown and a group of local, environmentally conscious experts planted the seed for what is now the nation’s largest and longest-running energy fair.

In 1990, at the Portage County Fairgrounds, it became a reality, and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association and its energy fair were born.

Brown owns Thomas Brown Architecture, based in Stevens Point, and his work centers on energy conservation and environmental responsibility. He said before the fair was organized, a group called the Point Energy Resource Council would conduct tours of local homes that featured sustainable designs.

“A number of folks said we should really have some kind of organized event,” Brown said. “They said we could have some workshops, do a couple home tours, and we did it. A couple thousand people came, so we thought we’d do it again the next year.”

For 25 years, the fair has grown significantly, and this year will feature more than 200 exhibitors with as many hands-on displays that will educate visitors about living sustainably. Ellie Jackson, events coordinator for the Midwest Renewable Energy Association, said she expects about 18,000 people to visit the event this year.

“People from all over the nation seek out Custer, Wisconsin, for the energy fair,” Jackson said. “They look to come and connect. To have this storied event in our backyard is pretty unique.”

This fair offers exhibitors the chance to gather with like-minded, environmentally engaged people and network. Arvis and Quint Stubbs of UCanClickIt out of Rice, Minn., have returned for their second year with their reusable heating and cooling pads. They and other groups were setting up their booths Thursday afternoon in preparation for the kickoff Friday. Arvis Stubbs said she enjoys talking to all the visitors at the event.

“I love seeing the people here,” she said. “We love traveling and we enjoy what we do, so this was a perfect combination.”

Sara Windjue, energy education specialist for the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s K-12 Energy Education Program through the Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education, was working with her colleagues to set up the education tent Thursday. The tent features an Electrathon car built by high school students from the Wild Rose School District.

“They’re learning about designing a vehicle, building a vehicle, and then also competing with it to test its efficiency,” Windjue said. “They’re gaining hands-on, real-world experiences.”

Windjue said this is her ninth year coming to the fair. She said she really appreciates the passion and enthusiasm of the people who visit the education tent.

“Educators who come to see what we have on display, their minds are open to all possibilities,” Windjue said. “They take some of these things back to their classrooms, so their students benefit from what their teachers have learned.”

Jackson said this fair is an invaluable experience for people interested in making a difference environmentally.

“People come and take workshops and leave with something they’ve learned that they can use in their communities,” Jackson said. “They can find an exhibitor who can answer any questions on-site. It’s really about bringing the experts and the community together.”

Andy Davis can be reached at 715-345-2253. Find him on Twitter as @SPJAndyDavis

Cost: Tickets are individually priced and cost $15 for a one-day adult pass, $35 for a weekend adult pass, $10 for a one-day senior pass, $20 for a weekend senior pass, $10 for a one-day pass for children age 13 to 18, $20 for a weekend pass for children age 13 to 18, and free for children 12 years and younger